News
Berkley Care Group named UK Top Employer for third consecutive year
Berkley Care Group has been recognised as a UK Top Employer by the Top Employers Institute for the third consecutive year. The internationally respected The Top
Employers Institute evaluates workplaces through its HR Best Practice Survey. The survey assesses key criteria such as talent acquisition, work environment, leadership development, compensation and benefits, diversity and inclusion, and performance management, across twenty topics. Berkley recently relaunched its staff-
shadowing programme under the name B: In Your Shoes, giving central team members, including leaders across the business – including CEO Laura Perry and Chief People Officer Leah-Marie Smith – the chance to step into frontline roles. The group also offers enhanced maternity
and paternity pay, full company sick pay for clinically necessary surgery or critical illness, and options for buying annual leave. Employees also benefit from a redesigned app providing discounts and perks, while Blue Light Card holders can claim reimbursements to make everyday life a little easier. Wellbeing remains a key priority. Berkley
has Mental Health First Aiders across the business, providing additional support for colleagues and helping to create open, supportive conversations around mental
Atelier completes £11.6m loan for new care home in Stafford
Development finance lender Atelier has provided an £11.6m loan to fund the development of a new 75-bed care home in Stafford.
The loan, structured over a 24-month term, will support the ground-up construction of a purpose-built care facility.
health. Neurodiversity training is now available, and recruitment practices have been adapted to create a more inclusive experience, including providing interview questions in advance and encouraging open, supportive dialogue. Leah-Marie Smith, co-owner and Chief
People Officer at Berkley Care Group, said: “Being recognised as a Top Employer for the third year in a row is a truly significant milestone. It is a powerful endorsement of the environment we strive to create where colleagues feel supported and able to grow. What makes this recognition particularly meaningful is that it reflects the everyday experiences of our teams. “Most importantly, this achievement
belongs to every single member of our teams across our homes. It is their dedication, openness, initiative, and care for one another, as well as for the people we support, that make Berkley Care Group such a special place to work.”
Former apetito chief executive awarded OBE Alongside his executive career, Paul
Former apetito chief executive Paul Freeston has been awarded an OBE for services to the food and drink sector. The honour recognises four decades of
leadership, innovation, and voluntary service focused on nutrition, sustainability, and improving outcomes for vulnerable people. Paul led the apetito business for over 25
years, transforming it from a £27m meals-on- wheels provider into an international, multi- award-winning food company with turnover exceeding £260m. Under his leadership, apetito became the UK’s leading provider of meals and specialist nutrition to the NHS, care homes, social care and education sectors, while also expanding internationally into Canada and the United States.
served as President of the Food and Drink Federation (FDF) from 2021 to 2023. He is also a former President of the British Frozen Food Federation (BFFF). Paul Freeston said: “I am deeply honoured
and humbled to receive this recognition. I have been incredibly fortunate to work in a sector that has such a profound impact on people’s everyday lives, particularly those who are older, vulnerable or living with complex health needs. “Throughout my career, what has
mattered most to me is that food should do more than simply nourish – it should bring dignity, enjoyment and a sense of normality, regardless of someone’s circumstances.
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www.thecarehomeenvironment.com February 2026
This is the fourth deal that Atelier has completed with their borrower, a seasoned care home provider. The new development will provide 75 beds with en suite wet rooms in a purpose-built care facility, delivering much needed care accommodation to serve the community.
Demand within the later living sector in England is only set to rise. A recent report from Staffordshire council revealed that Staffordshire’s population aged 65 and over will outpace the national average, and comprise 27 per cent of the county’s population by 2041. Rav Kudhail, lending director at Atelier, said: “This is our fourth transaction with our borrower. We supported the original site acquisition and are now funding the development of their new purpose-built care home. Through the relationship we’ve built, we’ve developed a tailored lending framework that enables them to act quickly on new site acquisition.”
Any success I’ve had has only been possible because of the extraordinary people I’ve worked alongside, from colleagues and frontline teams to partners across health, care, education and the wider food industry.”
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